Metal_Jacket Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 been bugging }SkOrPn--7 over that BFS about this plan to visit Australia....was wondering if any other suggestions, tips, opinion can be shared. checking out the packages available Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, the Great Barrier Reef & Sydney Kangaroo Island For a great Aussie welcome, head straight for Adelaide, a beautiful city renowned for its warm and friendly people, art, culture and wine. From Adelaide it’s just a quick hop (actually, a 40-minute ferry ride) to Kangaroo Island, an exciting wilderness vacation destination and home to Australia’s largest koala colony. For an unforgettable look at one of the world’s most amazing natural wonders, explore Cairns and the famous Great Barrier Reef – you don’t even have to get wet! Round off your vacation in Sydney, one of the world’s most vibrant cities, where you can go to the beach, the ballet at the Opera House and 5-star restaurants, all in one day. Package Inclusions * Roundtrip Economy Class airfare from Los Angeles on Qantas Airways * Add-on airfares from other U.S. cities are available * All domestic air within Australia * 2 nights in Adelaide * 2 nights on Kangaroo Island, plus two full-day tours on K.I * 4 nights in Cairns * 4 nights in Sydney * Roundtrip coach and ferry transfers between Adelaide and Kangaroo Island * 12 night packages, includes 2 nights and 2 full-day tours on KI. Hmmmm.....what do you think? It all looks fine; most of your travel is down the east coast which is nice to see. While you’re up in Queensland, if you get a chance, you should see if you can get to the Australian Zoo, the Australian Zoo was owned and run by Steve Irwin (the crocodile hunter), today its still owned and controlled by the Irwin family. http://www.australiazoo.com/ I notice that your package has unlimited domestic air travel, I suggest (in my opinion it is a must) you go far west to “Shark Bayâ€, in Shark Bay there is an area called “Monkey Miaâ€. Monkey Mia is on the Peron Peninsular where the dolphins come from the ocean up close to greet the people on the beach, It will be great for the whole family and the kids will love it, it will certainly be a life experience you will never forget. http://www.sharkbay.org/default.aspx?WebPageID=163 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted August 30, 2008 Share Posted August 30, 2008 Excellent tip and thanks for the link...I've never heard of this place, looks very promising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 need translation...been emailing an Aussie Travel Agency, and for some reason we cannot understand each other, maybe its lost in translation/toma-tow-tomah-to When I ask, "is the group tour a guided tour?", she would reply, "no, its an escorted tour." Are we on the same wavelength? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Mmm, it kind of means the same thing, but it could be possible that a guided tour is traveling with a person that will explain and point out landmarks, history etc, where as, an escorted tour is a person that travels with the group and makes sure that they don’t get into trouble or lost . Have you asked the travel agent? I’m interested to know what the true interpretation is. Where are you planning to visit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Mmm, it kind of means the same thing, but it could be possible that a guided tour is traveling with a person that will explain and point out landmarks, history etc, where as, an escorted tour is a person that travels with the group and makes sure that they don’t get into trouble or lost . Have you asked the travel agent? I’m interested to know what the true interpretation is. Where are you planning to visit? Melbourne---AyersRock---Great Barrier---Sydney....15 days....trying to cut it down to Great Barrier and Sydney...its $6000+/person for 15 days...maybe if we skip Ayers & Melb we can keep the budget down.... I emailed them, but we can't get to the same wavelength with the definition of guided vs escorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted January 30, 2009 Share Posted January 30, 2009 Its all good, in my opinion Ayers Rock and the great barrier are a must; Melbourne and Sydney are cities like many others with the exception of a few land marks. Nevertheless, I’m sure you and your family will have a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 need translation...been emailing an Aussie Travel Agency, and for some reason we cannot understand each other, maybe its lost in translation/toma-tow-tomah-to When I ask, "is the group tour a guided tour?", she would reply, "no, its an escorted tour." Are we on the same wavelength? K, finally a feller answered the phone and gave this difference: Escorted is with Tour Director, who will be there from Day One till Final Day. Guided is more with different tour director at each different location. why is there a considerable difference in price range? he cannot explain, but he seez Escorted Tour Director tends to be more knowledgable with various sights. interesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Getting to Australia is one thing, but understanding the language is another, so here are a few saying you can say and practice at home before you come down under. Ace! : Excellent! Very good! Ankle biter : small child Arvo : afternoon Aussie salute : brushing away flies with the hand Barbie : barbecue (noun) Bikkie : biscuit (also "it cost big bikkies" - it was expensive) Bloke : man, guy Boot : trunk of a car Bludger : lazy person, layabout, somebody who always relies on other people to do things or lend him things Bodgy : of inferior quality Bonzer : great, ripper Boozer : a pub Cut lunch : sandwiches Cut lunch commando : army reservist Mad as a cut snake : very angry Dinkum, fair dinkum : true, real, genuine ("I'm a dinkum Aussie"; "is he fair dinkum?") Dinky-di : the real thing, genuine Esky : large insulated food/drink container for picnics, barbecues etc Fair suck of the sav! : exclamation of wonder, awe, disbelief Milk bar : corner shop that sells takeaway food Roo : kangaroo Roo bar : stout bar fixed to the front of a vehicle to protect it against hitting kangaroos (also bull bar) Sheila : a woman Shonky : dubious, underhanded. E.g. a shonky practice, shonky business etc. Smoko : smoke or coffee break Snag : a sausage Trackie daks/dacks : tracksuit pants Trackies : track suit Example: This arvo I went to a Barbie, and fair dinkum the snags were about a foot long. The bloke that organized it is a mate of mine and that Sheila that was with him is his wife, the ankle biters were having a great time till they fell in the river, luckily we had there trackie dacks in the boot of the car. Good luck, try it on the wife and kids . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Good luck, try it on the wife and kids . a bit of a tongue-twister Itinerary as follows: Melbourne City Sights Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Alice Springs Half Day Tour Sounds of Silence Aboriginal Uluru Tour Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds Walk, Sunset and BBQ Tour Mantra Amphora, Palm Cove Outer Great Barrier Reef with Quicksilver videos here Kuranda, Rail, Skyrail & Tjapukai ocean spirit dinner cruise...do I really have to wear white pants? Rendezvous Stafford Hotel Sydney Sydney Sights Sydney Oprea: Starry Nights Packages - A Reserve ...can't Google-Fu what this is all about http://www.breakfastwiththekangaroos.com/ hope its NOT like this then back to work begging for some OVER-TIME...or it'll be cereal break/lunch/dinner until I gets money in back again advance thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 WOW, I think what you have there is just perfect. Starting from Melbourne then traveling up the red centre to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, then east to the tropics of Queensland and end it all by having breakfast with wild kangaroos in Sydney, absolutely fantastic. If it’s viable to you, I will not change a thing from the above list, it’s perfect. (As for wearing white pants, it’s not only compulsory but you also need to wear white slip-on shoes, aka Don Johnston Miami-vice style.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I'm trying to cut down some destination/entire package cost Removing: Colonial Tramcar Restaurant Alice Springs Half Day Tour anything else really not worth seeing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted August 7, 2009 Share Posted August 7, 2009 have to ask what kind of electrical outlet is over there, is it: I I o or is it like this? / \ o btw is it sweater weather or like winter jacket weather by Sept...hmm...maybe I should scroll back at beginning of post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) The electrical outlets are 240 volt...shaped like this \ / or a Y. | 3 slots, one facing 10 o'clock, the other 2 o'clock and the third at 6 o'clock Edited August 8, 2009 by Metal_Jacket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 thanks MJ so I guess my Canon Battery Charger is safe to use, just needs an adapter specs: Input: 100V-240V AC 50/60Hz Output: 4.2V - 0.65A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 (edited) Correct Cpl, my cousin arrived from Canada, just yesterday, so we went out to see if we could find a converter from 110 volts to 240 volts for his laptop computer and cell phone etc, we were shocked to learn that the converters can cost more than the electrical item or items you need to use. Price range is anything from $100 to $400 depending on what and how many items will run from it. In many cases it’s just a matter of having the correct socket plug, but in others it definitely needs a converter, your best bet will be to check with the manufacturer, good luck. Edited August 8, 2009 by Metal_Jacket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Led, go to Wal-Mart and check the luggage department. They have power converters with adapters for a fair price. Travel Converter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Led, go to Wal-Mart and check the luggage department. They have power converters with adapters for a fair price. Travel Converter Great advice, and the prices seem very reasonable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZJJ Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 Led, go to Wal-Mart and check the luggage department. They have power converters with adapters for a fair price. Travel Converter Too bad I didn't think to bring my converter kit to the Cpl when I was in that area a couple of months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted August 12, 2009 Share Posted August 12, 2009 Led, go to Wal-Mart and check the luggage department. They have power converters with adapters for a fair price. Travel Converter Too bad I didn't think to bring my converter kit to the Cpl when I was in that area a couple of months ago. you were here and you didn't let me know? you missed out on the pancit then...your loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 need advice on Currency Exchange. is it best I do the exchange in AUS or in USA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteKnight77 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Visa International fees can sat up cash if ya ain't careful. Change some currency here in the States before heading overseas. Then find out where you can get the best rate for exhanges (your hotel may give you cash with your Visa card for free). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 is there T Mobile Celphone Service there? can my Nokia 5300 work there? thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpl Ledanek Posted September 13, 2009 Share Posted September 13, 2009 ....also, can I buy SIM card there instead, this way my local SIM card won't charge me roaming fees? thx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal_Jacket Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 (edited) Yes, you can buy per-paid cards...$10 $20 $50 etc... meaning... once you use up the value of the card in calls, you need to buy another one. Edited September 14, 2009 by Metal_Jacket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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